If you’ve ever walked down the street with me, you’ve probably noticed me giving a similar face to a mirror or a store window. Sans camera. Sometimes.
If you’re not familiar with deciphering The Many Faces of Theodora, that face would be the subtlest smile I can muster without everyone in the world realizing that, yes, I am, in fact, smiling at my reflection in a window.
A little narcissistic? Maybe. But considering I worked my ass off (quite literally) to get this body that I’m so happy with–this body that lost 50 pounds, has run seven half-marathons, one full marathon and is training for its second marathon–I’m okay with it. I spent quite a few years trying to ignore the mirror and what I saw in it.
When I was in Philly for the Healthy Living Summit, I totally noticed Gretchen doing the same.
“Are you checking yourself out in the window because you’re so happy with what you see?”
“Yup!”
“I do the same exact thing!”
It’s always comforting to know there’s someone else doing the same ridiculous thing you do. If you’ve lost a lot of weight (or just changed your body), do you indulge in a little narcissism like this sometimes, too?
I’m going to balance this narcissism out with sharing a delicious breakfast with you, okay? This morning I made Caitlin’s grilled banana sandwich. Her directions were a little confusing to me, so I improvised.
First, I cooked the banana slices in a little bit of butter, and then I removed them from the pan and cooked the french toast before adding them all together.
Yes, I did drool a little bit before eating.
And yes, I did burn the French toast a little bit. Oops.
I love this post! It literally used to ruin my entire day if I had an unexpected run in (glance) in a mirror or window. Now, I usually feel bad for looking and I don’t want people to think I’m full of it. But I will no longer be shy about. I will own it. I love that you and Gretchen do the same. You guys are awesome!
I always check myself out when walking by a mirror or window. I do mine more out of a paranoid “do I look fat today?” attitude (working so hard to change that…) and then I even obsess over if the windows are slanted at all and make me look thinner than I am–like, do I REALLY look that way or is it distorted?
I’m kind of a freak about it. I feel like I check myself out in a more negative way–I’m going to have to adopt your attitude of “I look awesome!” because I’m sick of being so weird about it, haha.
Oh man, the cat’s out of the bag. It’s true. But I’ll always be the first one to tell you how narcissistic I am. I mean, hello? I write a blog about myself every day. Hahahaha.
The constant any-reflective-surface-body-check thing that I do is something I used to do pre-weight loss too. Only then, it came from a far more self-conscious and comparative place: “Does this outfit hide my stomach rolls?” “How much bigger am I compared to the woman walking in front of me?” etc.
I don’t think there is ANYTHING wrong with appreciating the hard work that we’ve put into our bodies. OWN IT. 😉
Beauty begins from the inside out, and always will
But you do look Fantastic,
I always check myself out in the mirror and like what I see- even though I’m about 30 lbs over weight. Do I think I need to lose weight? Yes. Do I still think I look beautiful? Yes. I think it’s more than just weight– it’s your self esteem. If you don’t like yourself, you won’t like what you see. Despite carrying some extra pounds, I like myself and enjoy checking out my reflection in mirrors and windows.
Oh yeaah. You totally deserve to look in the mirror. I love that smug little face. You’re too cute!
I didn’t even notice you burnt the french toast because I was too busy drooling over that breakfast!
I used to do it all the time! Especially at public/office restrooms. I’d grin like crazy at the mirror if I was by myself, and sometimes someone else would walk in… Awkward! Anyway, I haven’t done it lately because I put back on about 28 lbs of 72 lbs I initially lost. (I went a little overboard with the weight loss, and couldn’t keep it up… But need to get my head around losing 15-20 pounds again… I can do it!). Thanks for inspiring me!
I totally do the same thing! Props to everyone for looking in mirrors and liking what we see!
I do the same thing – so proud of how far I’ve come and I’m not ashamed to look narcissistic about it!
You look great so you have every right to enjoy the view 😉 And, feel free to stroll over to Flatiron to bring me some French toast.
You look fantastic! Seriously! You should out-right grin at yourself all the time. 🙂 I can’t wait to get there.
good for you! It’s not easy to get to that place, so rock it!
Found your blog today. Enjoying reading. Congrats on your success. Very cool!
I totally do the same thing when I walk by any mirror or window! I have lost 60 lbs (with a bit still to go). My friends always make fun of me for looking at myself. Whenever they can’t find me and ask where I am “She is probably looking in the mirror” HaHa!! Love your blog!!!! You are an inspiration!!
I rarely look in mirrors because I don’t care very much. When I go to the bathroom, I completely forget to look in the mirror as I’m washing my hands or on my way out (this has led to several instances of me walking out with toilet paper hanging out of my pants (don’t ask).
BUT! I check myself out all the time when I’m at the gym.
I want to see how my muscles look and how they are improving. I probably look a bit silly when I turn my back to the mirror and look back at the reflection of my derriere. But I just like what I see. I’m pretty happy with my body when I weightlift– it’s a great sel-esteem booster!
Plus, it makes me feel like a hardcore weightlifter because all the meatheads at the gym do it.
And I don’t think it’s narcissism. Pride, maybe. But narcissism? Not really.
that looks soo good! 🙂
I’ve lost 60 pounds since January of this year and I TOTALLY do the same thing whenever I pass a mirror or reflective surface! I also catch myself putting my hands on my hips a lot more…like, “oooooh, would you FEEL those slimmer hips??”
aw so glad i found your blog! your story is so inspiring. i’m training for my first half marathon after having been a recreational runner for 10 years, and i’m definitely encouraged to push myself to further limits after reading your story! ps annnnd i think we live in the same ‘hood. 🙂